Chapter 1: The Rise of Electric Vehicles Beyond Automobiles

The landscape of landscaping is undergoing a transformation. Tesla Inc. has played a pivotal role in driving the electrification of vehicles, a movement that is rapidly expanding into various sectors. From the rise of electric scooters to autonomous drones delivering food, the trend towards electrification is undeniable.

Investors and early adopters are reaping the rewards, as evidenced by the remarkable growth of electric vehicle (EV) firms like Tesla, Li Auto Inc., and Nio Inc. Notably, Bird Global Inc. successfully raised $275 million at a staggering $2.5 billion valuation, while Starship Technologies garnered over $202 million to develop its food delivery robots.

The next step in this electrification journey is set to take place in your local park. Graze Mowing is a startup currently seeking funds to launch its innovative all-electric, self-driving mowers. They are already executing live pilot programs at locations such as Vandenberg Space Force Base, Sundale Country Club, and the City of Glendale, indicating that a wider rollout could be imminent.

These mowers are designed primarily for expansive spaces like golf courses, parks, and solar fields, yet they are versatile enough to handle various mowing tasks. For instance, they feature different mower decks, enabling them to trim a putting green at a different height than that of a fairway. Their electric and autonomous nature allows them to operate quietly at night and autonomously return to their charging stations.

Equipped with a suite of advanced technologies, including light direction and ranging (lidar), odometry sensors, and cameras enhanced with machine learning and computer vision, these mowers can effectively identify and navigate around obstacles such as rocks, sticks, animals, and pedestrians. The potential obstacles they may encounter are likely fewer than those faced by cars, which could lead to a more rapid development of this technology compared to traditional EVs.

Several major landscaping companies have expressed interest, with over $32 million in non-binding letters of intent already signed. Graze Mowing is gearing up to begin large-scale manufacturing in 2024, meaning they will be well-prepared to launch when the time comes.

While Graze focuses on perfecting its core product, there are discussions about future enhancements, including various cutting deck sizes, edgers, aerators, bagging systems, and even fertilizer applications.